New evidence has emerged suggesting that Yaya Dillo, a prominent opposition leader in Chad, was likely executed by government forces, contradicting official claims of his death during an exchange of fire. Yaya Dillo was killed in February by government troops at his party’s headquarters in the capital, N’Djamena.
Forensic analysis conducted by five pathologists, including Professor Derrick Pounder, a U.K.-based expert, revealed that Dillo sustained a gunshot wound to the side of his head at close range. According to Pounder, the evidence strongly supports allegations of an extrajudicial execution.
The pathologists noted that the blackened skin surrounding the entry wound on Dillo’s head suggested a close-range gunshot. Four of the experts concluded that the weapon was likely in contact with or near Dillo’s head when fired, with three estimating the distance to be within a meter, indicating the possibility of an execution-style killing.
Dillo’s death has sparked international condemnation and raised concerns about the upcoming Presidential elections scheduled for May. The elections are intended to transition Chad from military rule following the death of President Idriss Deby’s father in April 2021.
Yaya Dillo, a former minister and relative of President Mahamat Idriss Deby, was considered a potential candidate challenging Deby’s leadership. His candidacy represented a significant opposition to the ruling regime, as he hailed from the influential Zaghawa clan, which has long dominated Chad’s political landscape.
The revelations from the forensic analysis cast a shadow over the integrity of Chad’s electoral process and underscore the challenges facing democratic transition in the country.
This development adds further complexity to the political landscape of Chad, as the nation grapples with the aftermath of Dillo’s death and prepares for a pivotal Presidential election in May.
Source: @Reuters
